IDEX Accelerator- Host a Fellow 2013

In the last few months DREAM:IN has had the pleasure of interacting with members and fellows from IDEX Accelerator, a platform which supports and promotes social entrepreneurs. Launched in 2009 by Gray Matters Capital (GMC) and headquartered in Hyderabad, IDEX facilitates the placement of talented young individuals in social enterprises which are looking to apply innovation and bring about positive change.

IDEX aims to connect social enterprises in India with a global network of fellows who show an exemplary track record through their academics, individual efforts to work in emerging markets and are creative and easy to adapt.

IDEX Fellow at work (Pictutre courtesy :http: //idexaccelerator.com/)

IDEX is currently looking for partners in India who will host a fellow for 6 months for the 2013 session. To know more about the ‘Host A Fellow’ programme, we got in touch with Amy Watson, field coordinator with IDEX and Jessica Chittaphong, an IDEX fellow.

Amy spoke to us about the benefits a fellow and the host partners get by becoming a part of this programme. From the perspective of a fellow, most experiences are a derivative of working onground for a social enterprise in India. There is an opportunity to learn about the enterprise they work in, identify problems and solutions, interact with people who work towards progress and most importantly have an experience of a lifetime. The enterprises where fellows work in, span areas like education, healthcare, environment and so on.

The partners who host IDEX fellows experience highly talented and skilled individuals who bring with them a fresh perspective and tools required for positive development. The fellows are selected after undergoing a selection process that aims to discover the most creative and ideating minds. The selection process also aims to find the right match for every enterprise and provides training to the fellows before they start work. Field coordinators are also assigned to mentor the fellows and provide support to both parties.

Jessica, an IDEX fellow who has been working with a start-up in Bangalore for the last 4 months added that her experience as a fellow has been very rewarding. She has learnt a lot about Indian social enterprises and has picked up many new skills during her tenure. She also added that the presence of a cohort system between all the IDEX fellows provides each of them an opportunity to learn from one another.

IDEX Fellows interacting with each other

Both Jessica and Amy highlighted the fact that one of the best things about hosting fellow is the fact that he/she is already committed to making a difference. This not only makes the fellows work hard but also offers to the partners a dedicated employee.

 The IDEX fellowship is therefore a process which promotes talent cultivation on many levels. It allows social enterprises the opportunity to have young people with diverse backgrounds work with them towards a common goal.

The interaction that DREAM:IN has had with the fellows has been very engaging. We believe that the IDEX fellows are a group of extremely bright people and that social enterprises will experience numerous benefits by hosting them.

To find out more about IDEX and how you can host a fellow log on to http://idexaccelerator.com/apply/hosting-a-fellow/

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